If you’re as totally confused about fidget spinners as I was, here is what the heck they are.
One night I went to sleep and when I woke up there was this device called a fidget spinner in every child’s hand and being talked about on every news station. The craze has blown up in what seems like a second into this phenomenon that is making people happy and angry all at the same time.
In the town I live in, every store is sold out. The shelves that once had fidget spinners are now completely empty and my Facebook stream is full of people typing in all caps, “WHERE CAN I GET A FIDGET SPINNER ASAP?!”
We know they are popular and the kids are digging them, but on at least 10 occasions I have heard parents saying that they just don’t get it. What is this whole thing about? (affiliates included)
So, here is what the heck fidget spinners are supposed to do.
A study in The Journal of Abnormal Childhood Psychology back in 2015 said that kids with ADHD can focus and learn better with hyperactive movements. Meaning basically, that when they have something to fidget with, move, touch, tap, etc. they can do more cognitive tasks.
Enter the fidget spinner and the fidget cube. The idea is to give them something they can fidget with that they can do with their hands only so they can focus their attention elsewhere, like a teacher.
Of course, there are plenty of folks that say fidget spinners do none of that and there is no research that shows this toy is actually helpful to anyone. Not yet, at least.
Besides ADHD, it is also said to be great for anxiety for similar reasons: fidget with this little device and you’ll focus your attention elsewhere; away from the anxiety or stress.
With all that being said, I think if you were really wanting a tool for fidgeters, this one isn’t it. The fidget cube is a much better option, providing kids actual things to fidget with. The spinner, just spins. There is only one motion to perform. With the cube, you have six sides of options with things you can touch, click, roll, move, etc. It seems far more powerful than the spinners and I don’t know why we aren’t seeing it more.
The fidget spinner a fun toy and could easily be a great tool for children with things like ADHD, Autism and Anxiety, but we just don’t know for sure yet. So keep on spinning, spinners; just follow the newly enforced school rules if you have any.
Liz is a just a mom trying to keep it real about how little she sleeps, how often she gets puked on and how much she loves them. You can find her here every day writing about real-mom moments.
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